Veteran journalist and publisher Anietie Akpan is dead.
Mr Akpan, a former deputy bureau chief of The Guardian in Nigeria’s South-south region, died on Sunday night, according to the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He spent more than three decades in journalism, earning a reputation for his coverage of public affairs and child rights issues before leaving The Guardian to establish his own newspaper, Pillartoday.com.ng.
In a statement on Monday, the NUJ Cross River State Council described his death as “a monumental loss” to the journalism profession and the state.
“The passing is a monumental loss, not only to the NUJ family but also to the media profession and Cross River State as a whole,” the statement signed by the council chairman, Archibong Bassey, said.
The union said Mr Akpan distinguished himself through “dedication, integrity and commitment to excellence” during a career that spanned over three decades.
It expressed condolences to his family and prayed for the strength to bear the loss, adding that funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Tributes
Linus Obogo, the spokesman to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, paid tribute to the late journalist in a message shared on Facebook on Monday.
“Good night and rest peacefully in the Lord, Oga Anietie Akpan. You blazed the trail and paved the way for others to follow. The journalism profession just lost a gem,” Mr Obogo wrote.
Career marked by resilience
Mr Akpan was widely known in media circles in Cross River and neighbouring Akwa Ibom States for his extensive reporting career and mentorship of younger journalists.
He received a meritorious award from Safe Child Africa, a United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisation, in recognition of his work on child witchcraft issues in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
In what has now become one of his final published reports, titled “Marina Road Ruts Into Two,” Mr Akpan acknowledged his deteriorating health in the byline, writing: “By Anietie Akpan, from his sick bed with assistance by his wife, Imaobong, daughter Etinyene and neighbour Idongesit Otoobong.”
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The story, published on 30 July, was about the recent landslide in Calabar caused by torrential rainfall.
Mr Akpan’s unusual byline reflected his determination to continue reporting despite his illness.
His death has drawn tributes from colleagues and public officials who described him as a respected journalist whose contributions helped shape journalism in Cross River and the South-south region.
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